Runners for nonload-bearing partitions



Oct. 20, 1959 N. NELssoN 2,909,251

` RUNNERS FOR NONLOAD-BEARING PARTITIONS I Filed Oct. 9, 195/6 3Sheets-Sheet 1 www.

Oct. 20, 1959 N, NELSSON 2,909,251

` RUNNERS FOR NONLOAD-BEARING PARTITIONS s sheets-sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9,1956 V EN TOR.

Oct. 20, 1959y N. Nl-:LssoN RUNNERS FOR NoNLoADfBR'ARING PARTITIONS I5Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 9, 1956 RW/Ww Iwo Wm m. INV@ lfm w. a/ Nl. WMum@ W J5 Hlmll United States Patent Otitice v 2,909,251 RUNNERS FonNoNLoAD-BEARING PARTmoNs Nels Nelsson, Chicago, lll., assignorto UnitedStates Gypsum Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois tral`channel.

This invention pertains to runners for partitions and,

more particularly,l pertains to runners adapted for use in the formationof nonload-bearing partitions.

The use of channel-shaped runner members in the for- "i be employed insecuring the metal or wood runners to Y the supporting ceiling and floorstructures.

Despite the type of ceiling runner used, however, a moulding strip isemployed in the usual partition construction to `cover thewallboard-ceiling interface from View and, thus, provide a more pleasingappearance. VIt is apparent, therefore, that in addition to therunner-Wallboard connection, a subsequent operation in which a mouldingstrip was applied to cover the unsightly wallboard-ceiling interface hadheretofore been necessary.

It is ani object, therefore, of this invention to provide an improvedceiling runner which, because of its novel construction secureswallboard members thereto` by means of a simplewedging engagement and,thus, obviates the need for a fastening operation using such Well knownmeans as screws, nails, etc.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved ceilingrunner which has integral` portions thereof designed to function asmoulding strips, in the normal assembledposition, between thewallboard-ceiling interfaces and, thus, eliminates the time and expensenecessitated by the separate application of a moulding strip.

It is `a still further object of this invention to provide an improvedceiling runner which insures permanence of assembly and straight wallalignment, as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail. A

It is another Vobject of this invention to provide an improved iloorrunner for use in conjunction with a ceiling runner which assures asecure engagement with the lower portion ofthe wallboard andwhichaifords :straight alignment of the lower portion of the wallboards.

It is yet another object of this invention to Vprovide a partitionconstruction employing novel ceilingand Vfloor runners which interlockwith wall-reinforcing .stud members.

The above and other objects of this invention will become more apparentfromthe following description, accompanying drawings and `appendedclaims. i

In one embodiment of this invention, an elongate piec of sheet metal isrolled or bent so as toforma runner having a channel-likecross-sectional configuration. The

runner cross section comprises a maincentralchannel portion having a webjoinedat either end limit with converging wall portions. The endlimitsof the latter wall portions are formed integrally with anglelikeportions which define channels disposed laterally of the Ymain cen7 Thelatter channels also possess converging walls. The wall portions of themain central channel are thus common to both the central and thelaterally disposed channels. The lateral channels are of precisely thesame configuration as the main central channel but have lwebs and outerwall portions of lesser dimensions.

In'the course of assembly, the web portions of the lateral channels areaffixed to an overhead supporting surface. The lateral channels are thusinverted in the normal position of use. The wallboards forming thehollow partition are then inclined to facilitate insertion between theopen ends of the inverted lateral channels and wedged between the freeedge and limit of the outer wall portion of each inverted channel andthe interfaces delined by the main channel web-wall portion junctures,upon thev wallboards assuming the vertical positions, as willhereinafter be explained inl greater detail.

The final assembly provides the visual effect of a partition having amoulding strip disposed along both wallvboard-ceiling interfaces with nofastening means,lsuch as nails and screws employed in securing thewallboards to the runner, as each wallboard is wedged in place in therunner.

In a modified partition assembly, stud members may be utilized inconjunction with the above-described ceiling runners, and iioor runners.In the latter assembly, both ceiling and iioor runners similar `to thosepreviously described are uniformly and periodically slotted in theirwebportions to receive the reinforcing stud members.

j The latter studs comprise opposed pairs of parallel elongate rodmembers'and are preferably composed of metal. The rods are maintained inspaced-apart relationship .by short rod lengths which are interposedbetween the elongate rod members of each pair and spot welded thereto.The studs enable a sectional .inner wall to be utilized by enabling thelatter sections to be secured to the studs by clip members. The clipsare engaged to the stud rods and secure the wall sections thereto, aswill hereinafter be described in greater detail. The stud members inaddition to enabling a sectional inner wall to be erected also assure aVstable overall partition iassembly.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference shouldnow be given to the drawings, wherein Figure l is a fragmentaryperspective view of a partition utilizing therunner members which arethe subject of this invention;

v Fig. 2 is an end view of a ceiling runner constructed in accordancewith thel principles of this invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the ceiling runner illustratedin Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of a floor runner constructed in accordance withthe principles of this invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan View of the floor runner illustrated inFig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partition construction inwhich a stud member is utilized in conjunction with floor and ceilingrunners;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end View of the partition construction of Fig.6;

Fig. 8 is .a sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken on line v9-9 of Fig. 7.

Referring now to the drawings, `and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2,a ceiling runner 10 which has been formed from an elongate piece ofsheet metal is illustrated. rlfhe runner 10 may be rolled or bent intothe configuration shown in Fig. '1, but it should be understood 4that arunner member formed of plastic, and other materials, which isconstructed in accordance with Patented Uct. 20, 1959 the principleshereinafter advanced will work to advanta e.

gThe runner has a cross section, as seen in Fig. 2, in which a webportion 12 is formed integrally at opposed longitudinal edges with wallportions 14 converging from portion i2. Wall portions 14 are, in turn,formed- 1ntegrally at their converging end limits with flange portlons16 which are outwardly disposed away from the interposed web portion 12but disposed in a plane parallel thereto. The outer edge end limits ofthe flange portions 16 of the ceiling runner member 10 are formedintegrally with downwardly disposed converging strip portions 18.

The cross-sectional configuration of the ceiling runner member is,therefore, seen-to comprise a central or main channel portion formedintegrally with two laterally disposed twin channel portions which havewall portions converging in a direction oppositely disposed to thedirection of convergence of the main channel wall portions.

In the course of partition assembly, the ceiling runner 10 is affixed toa ceiling surface as follows: The runner ange portions 16, or webportions of the runner lateral channels, are disposed flush against thatsurface portion of the ceiling across which the partition is to beformed. As is more clearly seen in Figs. l and 2, fastening means suchas nails 21 pass through longitudinally spaced apertures 20 disposed inflange portions 16 of the runner 10 and engage ceiling joists 23 aftertraversing ceiling 25.

Following the positioning of the runner 10, wallboards 24 which may beof a single or double thickness as shown, and fabricated of gypsum,plastic or other material suitable for this purpose, slidably engagewall portions 14 of the ceiling runner and are inserted between thedownwardly converging wall portions 18 and 14 of v each lateral channel.This latter insertion is possible since the thickness of the wallboardor boards 24 which make up each partition wall is less than the intervalbetween wall portion 14 and the depending edge 22 of each lateralchannel portion illustrated in Fig. 2 as the distance x. However, thethickness of the wallboards 24 which make yup each partition wall isgreater than the interval between the line of juncture 26 between web 12and each of the side wall portions 14 and a vertical projection disposedflush with the distal edge limit 22 of the strip portions 18, whichdistance is illustrated in Fig. l as the interval y.

When the upper end portions of the wallboards 24 are inserted betweenthe edge end limit 22 of the downwardly interval y be less than thethickness of the wallboards that are wedged between the opposed ceilingrunner portions on either side, and that the interval l:c be greaterthan the wallboard thicknesses. If these conditions are met, the angleor angles defined by the juncture of the wall portions 14 and webportion 12 and the flange portions 16 and the side wall portions 14 andthe strips 18 are immaterial. It is, of course, obvious that forappearances sake the strip portions 18 which function as mouldingsshould converge downwardly at a uniform angle on either side.

In Fig. 4 an end view is shown of floor runner 34 which is adapted tomaintain the lower portions of the wallboards in fixed position andwhich is constructed similarly to the ceiling runner 10 with theexception that the converging strip portions 18 of runner 10 areomitted. The floor runner comprises a lweb portion 13 formed integrallyat opposed longitudinal edges with the converging wall portions 15.These latter wall portions are, in turn, formed integrally with theoutwardly disposed flange portions 17 which are disposed in a planeparallel to that of the web 13 and which rest on floor surface 39.Flange portions 17 are appropriately apertured as at 19, see Fig. 5, tofacilitate securing of the fioor runner to floor joists 37 byappropriate securing means, such as nails 35.

It is the procedure in the erection of a partition assembly, such as isillustrated in Fig. l, to initially secure the fioor runner 34 to thefioor in the desired location. The ceiling runner is then affixed to theoverlying support surface, after a plumb line has properly located theceiling runner relative to the floor runner. After both runners areproperly secured in place, each of the wallboard top portions isinserted in the opposed lateral channel portions of the ceiling runnerdefined by the depending strips 18, flange portions 16 and wall portions14 and arcuately moved so as to assume vertical positions. Durl ing thecourse of this latter movement, the depending converging strip portions18 of the ceiling runner lateral outwardly the downwardly convergingstrip portions 18.

A firm contact is thus assured between the upper portion of each of thewallboard members 24 and the ceiling runner 10 because of this doubleline contact effected along edges 22 and 26 of the ceiling runner.

strip 18 is forced outwardly from its initial position as a result ofthe lever action effected by the wallboard in which edge 26 is utilizedas the fulcrum. Following this arcuate movement, the distal edge endlimit 22 of each depending strip 18 firmly bears against the surface ofthe engaged wallboard effecting a line contact therewith.

Also, at the end limit of the above-described arcuate movement, thelower portions of each of the wallboards 24 abut against a corner edgeor juncture 36 defined by the joining of the web portion 13 with each ofthe convergingrwall portions 15 of the floor runner 34. In this latterdisposition, fastening means, such as self-tapping screws 38, threadedlyengage each of the wallboards and Y secure the same to the opposedconverging walls 15 of In the normal assembled position, the wallboards24 are firmly wedged in the lateral channel portions of the ceilingrunner and thereby provide a stable partition construction in which allparts are relatively immovable. It is apparent from Fig. l that, uponassuming the vertical position, the downwardly converging strip portions18 of the ceiling rumrer 10 function as a moulding strip. Since the twoflange portions 16 of the ceiling runner are positioned flush againstthe supporting ceiling surface, the depending strip portions 18 willalso be disposed against the overlying ceiling surface at their upperend limits or edges 30 which define the junctures between the flangeportions 16 and the strip portions 18, as will be more clearly seen inFig. 2.

It is obvious that the configuration of the downwardly converging strips18 which function as moulding strips may be formed in advance so as tobe of any desired decorative configuration. It is critical, however,Ithat the f-I the floor runner.

As a result of the latter engagement between the wallboards 24 and theedges 36 of the floor runner, a tight engagement is assured in which thelength of the wall is aligned along the edges 36 thereby assuring apleasing partition appearance.

It is apparent that, with the ceiling runner construction provided, noseparate operation for the application of a moulding strip is necessary.In addition, no operation whereby the opposed wallboards 24 are securedAto the walls 14 'of the ceiling runner by securing means is necessary.By eliminating these latter two operations, a considerable savings intime and labor is apparent. Both thc ceiling runner and the floor runnermay be assembled in an efiicient manner in a minimum amount of time. Theprovided runners are adapted to efficiently function in the erection ofhollow wallboard partitions despite the nature of the wallboard.

As above mentioned, the specific configuration of the ceiling runner isof little importance. The critical features,however,'1ie in the relativedisposition of the wall Y portions 14 and the downwardly convergingstrip portion .tion -16 and a converging wallf114 shouldlbe 4less than90.l

Similarly, vthe angles between Athe walls 15 and the web .13 of thefloor runner should be .less than 90. Both `the ceiling and door runnersmay be formed from ordinary sheet metal and are thus inexpensive tofabricate.

. For purposes of rigidity and strength, suitable stud members may bedisposed at .predetermined intervals between opposed wallboards whichmay be composed ,of gypsum, wood, plastic or othersuitable material.Such Va stud member is illustrated in '.Fig. 6 wherein a partitionconstruction similar to that illustrated in Fig. l is dcpicted. In thepartition construction of Fig. 6, the innermost wall is composed of aplurality of gypsum sections l42 having opposed longitudinal edges ofrounded configuration. Also, the ceiling runner a and oor runner 34aillustrated are slotted for reception of a stud member `44 andthe floorrunner 34a is approximately onehalf the height of iloor runner 34 inFig. 4.

The stud 44 comprises opposed pairs of parallel elongate steel rodmembers 46. Short lengths of a rod 48 of zigzag conguration are disposedbetween each pair of `opposed rods 46 and interconnect the .opposedA rodpairs. For permanence of assembly, the rod lengths are spot welded tothe rod members 46.

Themodied ceiling runner 10a of Fig. 6 has a web portion 12a which isslotted at 50, as is more clearly seen frornFigs. 6 and 8. The slots 50and52 disposed at predetermined intervals in the ceiling runner 10a` andfloor runner 34a have a width which isv greater, and preferablyapproximately one and one-half times the greatest width of the studmembers. Because of the latter width relationship, the studs may bereadily twisted out of contact with opposed slot-defining portions ofthe .ceiling and oor runners, and thus readily raised upwardly into theceiling runner and over the lioor runner in the process of assembly ordisassembly, a-s will hereinafter be explained in greater detail. Y

. It-will be noted from Figs. 6 and 7 lthatthepartition constructionillustrated utilizes a 4modified floor runner 34a which is of a heightapproximatelyone-half that of the floor runner illustrated in Figs. 1,2, 4 -and 5. The lioor runner 34a is also slotted at intervals identicalWith those of the overlying ceiling runner 10a. In the course ofassembling the stud member 44 to the ceiling runner 10a and the floorrunner 34a, it is first inserted in the overlying ceilingrunner 10aandmay be turned in the slot 50 to facilitate upward movement therein soas to be insertable between the converging walls-14a. Since the heightof the ceiling runner is approximately twice that `of i'loor runner 34a,the stud may be iirst inserted in the ceiling runner, clear theunderlying floor runner 34a, and then dropped into a slot 52 disposed inthe` lloor runner 34a. .It is apparent, therefore, that the stud rods 46may interlock with the ceiling and iloor runners after both of thelatter runner members have been secured inV position. l p

After the stud 44 has engaged the slots in the tloor runner 34a, it will`be locked at vopposed vend limits, whereby the stud is relativelyimmovable with the iloor and ceiling runners. The'stud 44 is wedgedbetweenthe opposed converging walls 14a of theceiling runner 10a at itsupper portion and between ,the end limits of the opposed convergingwalls 15a of the iloor runner atV its lower .portion as illustrated inFig. 6. This latter wedging engagement is made possible sincethe slotsr50 and 52 in the ceiling and -floor runners, respectively, are of agreater width than that of the stud member which they receive.

Referring to'Fig. 7, it will belnoted that the upper end limits ofthestud 4'4'fr`ictionally engage the opposed side -walls 14a of theceiling runner 10a at the pointsof contact 54. Similarly, the bottom endlimits of the stud elongate rods frictionally engage the bottom floorrunner at pointsvofv contact 5S. `It-is-preferred that the bottom endlimits ofthe elongatestud rods 46 rest` on the 6 jooras illustrated .toavoid distortion of opposed side walls 15a.v 'Howeven the elongate rodsare snugly .re- 4ceived .between the lower end limits of the walls 15aas illustrated. t

Utilizing such a stud-reinforced partition construction, `gypsum boards42 in the form of elongate slabs may be secured to the stud members 44by means of boardengagingmclip members 56. These latter clip members aremoreclearly seen in Figs. 6 and 7 and function to secure the boardmembers to the vertical elongate rods 46 of the stud members by aclampingengagement which is believed apparent. Each of the clip members56 -has a rod-engaging portion 58 and a board-engaging portion 60 whichis adapted to engage portions of two adjacent boards 4t2. It is apparentthat, by using such clip members, sheets of gypsum board may be securedto the stud members in a facile manner which assures rigidity ofpartition assembly.

The outermost wallboard member 62 which may also be composed of gypsum,plastic or the like engages the ceiling-runner 10a and the floor runner34a in a manner previously described with relation to the ceiling runner,10 and the floor runner 34 which have been described in detail above.

It will be noted from Figs. l, 6 and 7 that the upper end limits of thewallboards 24, 42 and 62 do not extend to the ange portions of theceiling runners. This latter interval between the runner flanges and thewallboards enables downward movement or deflection of the ceiling 25 totake place without compression and resulting damage to the engagedboards. Such deection occurs in ceilingsl having extended Vunsupportedlengths, particularly roofs of one story-dwellings which are subjected,to the weightjof rain and snow. Thus, as a result of the spacingbetween the fboards and runner, relative slidable movement between thelatter two partition components is permissible when the overlyingceiling deflects in a downwardly direction.

It is thus seen that the constructions of Figs. 6 through 9 enablea-sectional inner wall to be utilized in Vconjunc-A tion with anintegral outer wall 62 and simultaneously provide rigidity of assemblyand increased iire protection because of the double wall construction.The illustrated stud and its method of connection with the opposedceiling and floor runners may, of course, be utilized with the doubleintegral wall construction utilized in Fig. 1.

In view of the many modifications which are possible V and which willstill remain within the ambit of the inventive concepts hereindisclosed, it is intended that this invention be limited only by thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An elongate runner construction for assuring alignment of Wallbardsor'the like comprising a web portion,

two symmetrical wall portions inclined to said web portion, said wallportions converging in a direc-tion away from said web portion, each ofsaid wall portions having a rst longitudinal edge formed integrally withone of the opposed longitudinal edges of-said web portion, and asymmetrical ange portion formed integrally with a second longitudinalledge of each of said wall portions, said flange portions also beingdisposed parallel to said web portion, such wallboards or ,the likeetecting a line .contactwith the junctures between said web and inclinedwalll portions, said runner Harige portions extending outwardly frombeneath said overlying runner web-Wall junctures so as to enable afastening means to be readily secured thereto.

2. An elongate'runner construction comprising a web portion, two wallportions converging in a direction away from said web portion, each ofsaid Wall portions having one longitudinal edge thereof formedintegrally with one of the opposed longitudinal edges of said webportion, two ilange portions, each of said flange portions vhaving onelongitudinal edge thereotiformed integrally with a second longitudinaledge of one of said wall portions and disposed parallelto said webportion, and two converging strip portions, each of said convergingstrip portions having one longitudinal edgethereof formed integrallywith a second longitudinal edge of one of said fiange portions, saidlatter strip portions converging in the direction of said web portion,the terminal distal edge of each of said strips being disposed in aplane disposed normal to said runner iiange portion which plane is alsooutwardly spaced from the adjacent juncture between the web and a wallportion of said runner.

3. The runner construction as recited in claim 2, in which the anglesdefined between said converging strip portions and their respective angeportions are equal.

4. The construction as recited in claim 2 in which the angle defined byeach of said converging wall portions and said web portion, and theangle defined between each of said converging strip portions and itsrespective fiange portion is less than 90 degrees.

5. In a partition construction, the combination comprising at least twowallboards, a runner construction engaging terminal end portionsrof saidwallboards, said runner construction comprising two opposed wallportions, a web portion maintaining said wall portions in spaced-apartrelationship, said wall portions converging in a direction away fromsaid web portion, such terminal end portions of said wallboards engagedby said runner construction effecting a line contact with the juncturedefined between said converging wall portions and said interconnectingweb portion in the normal assembled position, and fiange means disposedparallel to said web portion formed integrally with the terminal endportions of said converging wall portions.

6. In a partition construction, the combination comprising at least twowallboards, a runner construction engaging end portions of saidwallboards, said runner construction having a substantially channel-likeconfiguration and comprising a web formed integrally at opposedlongitudinal edges with two uniform wall portions converging in adirection away from said web portion, flange portions formed integrallywith the remaining longitudinal edges of said wall portions and disposedparallel to said web portion, converging strip portions disposedopposite said wall portions formed integrally with the remaininglongitudinal edges of said fiange portions, said strip portionsconverging toward said web, the thickness of each of said wallboards tobe engaged being greater than the shortest distance between adjacentparallel planes normally disposed to said flange portions, one of saidplanes effecting a line contact with the distal end limit of each ofsaid strips and the other of said planes efiecting'a line contact witheach of said converging walls junctures with said web portion; thethickness of each of said wallboards to be engaged being less than theshortest distance described by a line disposed parallel to said fiangeportions and drawn from the distal end limit of one of said stripportions to the adjacent converging wall portion.

7. In a nonload-bearing partition construction, the combinationcomprising at least two wallboards, a runner construction engaging endportions of said wallboards, said runner having a substantiallychannel-like configuration and comprising a web formed integrally atopposed longitudinal edges with two uniform wall portions converging ina direction away from said web, fiange portions, formed integrally with`the remaining longitudinal edges of said wall portions and disposedparallel to said web, strip portions converging toward said web disposedopposite said wall portions formed integrally with the remaininglongitudinal edges of said flange portions, the thickness of each ofsaid wallboards to be engaged being less than the shortest distancedescribed by a line disposed parallel to said fiange portions and drawnfrom the distal end limit of one of said strip portions to the adjacentconverging wallportion, the thickness of each of said wallboards alsobeing slightly greater than the interval between parallel planesdisposed normal to said ange portions, one of said parallel planeshaving the distal edge end limit of one of said strips flush therewithand the other planehaving the juncture between said web and saidvconverging wall portions fiush therewith. v

8. In a partition construction, the combination com prising at least twowallboards, a runner construction engaging terminal end portions of saidwallboards conrprising two opposed clamping means of invertedchannellike configuration, interconnecting elongate means engaging andmaintaining said opposed clamping means in parallel spaced relationship,each of said clamping means comprising opposed walls maintained inspaced relationship by an interconnecting strip portion, said opposedwalls converging in a direction away from saidstrip portion, thethickness of such wallboard terminal end portions to be engaged beingless than the width of each of said clamping means strip portion.

9. A partition construction comprising at least two wallboards, a runnerconstruction engaging terminal end portions of said wallboardscomprising two opposed clamping means of inverted channel-likeconfiguration, interconnecting elongate means engaging said opposedclamping means and maintaining them in parallel spaced relationship,each of said clamping means comprising opposed walls joined by aninterconnecting strip portion, said walls converging in a direction awayfrom said strip portions, each of said clamping means having a distallongitudinal edge, the thickness of such wallboard terminal end portionsengaged being greater than the distance between adjacent parallel planesone of which is disposed normal to said clamping means strip portionsand effects a line contact with the distal longitudinal edge of one ofsaid clamping means and the other of which effects a line contact withthe adjacent juncture between each of said clamping means and saidelongate means.

10. A partition construction comprising at least two wallboards, arunner construction engaging terminal end portions of said wallboardscomprising two opposed clamping means of inverted channel-likeconfiguration, interconnecting elongate means engaging and maintainingsaid opposed clampingmeans in parallel spaced relationship, each of saidclamping means comprising opposed walls joined by an interconnectingstrip portion, said walls converging in a direction away from said stripportions, each of said clamping means having a distal longitudinal edge,the thickness of said wallboard terminal end p0rtions to be engaged4being less than the shortest distance described by a line disposedparallel to said flange portions and drawn from the distal end limit ofone of said strip portions to the adjacent wall portion.

l1. A partition construction comprising at least two wallboards, aceiling runner comprising two opposed clamping means engaging upperterminal end portions of said wallboards, and interconnecting stripmeans maintaining said opposed clamping means in parallel spacedrelationship, said wallboard terminal end portions being wedged betweenthe distal end portion of each of said clamping means and the juncturedefined by each of said clamping means and said interconnecting stripmeans in the normal assembled position, and a floor runner comprisingtwo wall portions, maintained in spaced-apart relationship by aninterconnecting web portion formed integrally with one edge of each ofsaid wall portions, said wall portions converging in a direction awayfrom said web portion, an outwardly projecting fiange portion formedintegrally with a second edge of each of said wall portions and disposedparallel to said web portion, said ceiling runner and said fioor runnerbeing in superposed relationship in the normal partition of assembly,the juncture between said web portion of said floor runner and each ofsaid converging wall portions thereof forining a line contact with abottom portion of one of said wallboards in the normal assembledposition.

12. A partition construction comprising ceiling runner means, asupporting ceiling surface for said ceiling runner, oor runner meansoppositely disposed to said ceiling runner, said iioor runner beingdisposed on a supporting oor surface, said ceiling runner comprisingopposed clamping means and an interconnecting strip removed from saidceiling surface joining said clamping means, each of said clamping meanshaving opposed downwardly converging wall portions, said Hoor runnercomprising opposed walls converging downwardly in the normal position ofassembly joined by an interconnecting web portion spaced from saidflioor surface, said ceiling runner strip portion and said floor runnerweb portion being uniformly apertured at predetermined intervals, andstud means disposed between said ceiling and oor runners and having endportions projecting into the apertures disposed in said strip and webrunner portions, said References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,472,194 Schaefer et al Oct. 30, 1923 1,778,337 PrattOct. 14, 1930 1,981,240 McNeil Nov. 20, 1934 1,982,104 Holdsworth Nov.27, 1934 2,097,484 Winslow Nov. 2, 1937 2,269,384 Spinosa Jan. 6, 19422,682,087 Siering June 29, 1954

